Hakozakigu Hojoya, which is one of the three major festivals of Hakata along with Hakata Dontaku in spring and Hakata Gion Yamakasa in summer, is a festival for people to “show appreciation for life itself, warn themselves against needless killing and express their appreciation for bountiful harvest in autumn.”

During the festival period (for 7 days and 7 nights) from September 12th (Tue) to the 18th (Mon/Holiday), various Shinto rituals and shrine events will be held along the entrance path to the shrine. About 500 street stalls, which line the approach to the shrine, offer a variety of attractions such as a haunted house, shooting gallery, Yo-yo fishing and fresh whole ginger sale, and the festival draws lots of people each and every day during the period.

The origin of this important Shinto ritual with a history of over 1000 years is said that the festival began after an oracle from the Kami, which went, “Since so much life is taken during wars, a festival to celebrate the freeing of life should be held.”

In Hojoya this year, the Goshinko ritual (parade of portable shrine) will be performed. Okudari (descent) on September 12th and Onobori (ascent) on September 14th are going to solemnly carry out with 500 shrine parishioners with a spirit of service. The parade still keeps the ancient heritage and looks just like an old illustrated scroll.

• ・Dates held　September 12th (Tue) – September 18th (Mon/Holiday), 2017
• ・Venue　　　 Hakozakigu Shrine (1-22-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka-shi)
• ・Access　　   [Fukuoka City Subway] Get off at “Hakozakigu-Mae Station”, 3-min walk from exit 1.
  　　　　　　　 [JR Kagosima Line] Get off at “Hakozaki Station”, 8-min walk
  　　　　　　　 [Nishitetsu Bus] Get off at “Hakozaki”, 3-min walk
  　　　　　　　 [JR Kyushu Bus] Get off at “Hakozaki 1-chome”, 2-min walk
• ・URL 　　　　http://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/pdf/english.pdf